During Euronaval 2012 in October last year, BAE Systems Maritime –
Naval Ships showcased a Type 26 “Global Combat Ship” frigate
model with a slightly modified design compared to the big design update
unveiled during DSA 2012 in April last year. We asked a few questions
to BAE Systems on the reasons behind the latest changes to the design.

Type
26 Frigate design update unveiled during DSA 2012, in April last year

Navy
Recognition: Can you give us a general update on the status of the program
as of now ?
BAE Systems: The programme to develop the Type 26 Global Combat
Ship for the Royal Navy is well underway. A joint team of around 380
engineers from BAE Systems, wider UK industry and UK Ministry of Defence
working to develop a detailed specification and support solution for
the ship ready for manufacture. The MOD has endorsed the ship's basic
capabilities (Main Gate 1) and current planning assumptions hold the
main investment decision point (known as Main Gate 2) at around the
middle of this decade and assume steel will be cut at the end of 2015.
Type 26 is due to enter service as soon as possible after 2020 and will
be one of the most advanced vessels in the Royal Navy's fleet.

Figure 1
- Type 26 Frigate as showcased during Euronaval 2012, in late October
last year

Navy
Recognition: The Phalanx Close In Weapon Systems (CIWS) located originally
at the bow and on top of the helicopter hangar have been moved to the
port and starboard sides in the middle section of the ship (5) (see
Figure 1): Can you provide details on the reasons for such a move?
BAE Systems: The Phalanx were relocated following a detailed review
of the topside arrangement in order to develop a more integrated solution.
The issues considered during this review included operability, weapon
arcs, aerial and antenna performance, electromagnetic interference,
airwake and safety.

Navy Recognition: Can you tell us what type of VLS is located
in (1) and what type of missiles it may accommodate (Aster, TLAM, MdCN
etc…) The same question for the VLS in (3)
BAE Systems: The Global Combat Ship is designed to carry either
Mk41 Strike or Aster A70 VLS in location 1. Location 3 is for Sea Ceptor.

The Mk41 VLS (Vertical Launch System) is made by Raytheon. It is available
in three version. The Strike version is the tallest (30 feet / 9 meters)
and can accommodate the widest variety of missiles including Tomahawk
land attack cruise missiles.

A70 SYLVER (SYSteme de Lancement VERticale, or vertical launch system
in French) is made by DCNS. It is the tallest cell in the SYLVER family
(at about 23 feet / 7 meters) and was specifically designed to launch
MBDA’s Naval Scalp land attack cruise missile (also known as MdCN
for Missile de Croisière Naval).

MBDA’ Sea Ceptor, also known as CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular
Missile) is the future surface to air missile that will be fitted on
Type 26.

Navy Recognition: What are the “tubes” located in
(2)?
BAE Systems: Tubes in location 2 are for EW Decoy Outfit DLF.

The Irvin-GQ Naval Decoy is a rapid response, inflatable, passive radio
frequency (RF), floating countermeasure system that is ship deployed
and effective against radar homing missiles and surveillance radar.

Navy Recognition: The radome in (4) look significantly larger
when compared to the original CGI.
What are they?
BAE System: Mil Satcom Antenna in dome (location 4), upgrade in
Antenna size (SCOT 5 - same system to be fitted to QEC).

The SCOT family of naval SHF Satellite Communications Terminals is the
product of 35 years of evolutionary development. Eleven navies have
chosen SCOT, and over 200 terminals are in service, making it the most
widely fitted naval SHF terminal in the world. SCOT has also been installed
in more than 40 different warship classes, from corvettes to aircraft
carriers.
The new X-Band maritime terminal (SCOT 5) and its smaller variant mini-SCOT,
provide highly reliable communications links in even the most demanding
situations. SCOT terminals also support all standard communications
services (such as voice, data, fax, video) and transmission modes (
IP, Serial, ATM, DVB).

Navy Recognition: Has the main mast design been slightly tweaked
too?
BAE Systems: Mast design changed as a result of the topsides review.

Navy Recognition: Can you give us details on the propulsion
system that the Type 26 /GCS is going to use? Is it still planned to
be CODLOG or has this changed?
BAE Systems: The answer is yes - the Global Combat Ship will indeed
use CODLOG.

The Type 26 propulsion system will consist in two electric motors, four
high speed diesel generators and a gas turbine direct drive in a CODLOG
configuration. In a "CObined Diesel eLectric Or Gas turbine"
configuration, electric motors are employed for quiet drive forward
and astern operation. The electrical power generation is provided by
the four diesel generators. The gas turbine is used when high speeds
are required.

Type 26 Frigate
as showcased during Euronaval 2012, in late October last year

Navy Recognition will be attending several naval and defense exhibitions
this year (Navdex, LIMA, LAAD, DSEi for example) and we will make sure
to report any new design changes we may find while visiting BAE Systems’
stand at those venues.